Tool for handling fluids in wells



Sept 10 E940 c. E. cosTl-:LLQ

TOOL FOR HANUII'NG FLUIDS IN 'EI-ILS Filed Api-i1 s, 1938 E@ abbr/5;

Patented Sept. l0, 194() unirse STATES nPATENT DFFICE TOOL FOR HANDLING FLUIDS IVN WELLS Inglewood, Calif.

Application Apn'l 8, 1938, Serial No. 260,893

12 Claims.

This invention relates a a well tool and relates more particularly to a tool for handling or discharging uids in wells. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple, practical and very effective tool of the character mentioned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that is operable to clean the perforations of a liner in a, Well and to remove mud, sand, wax, etc., from about the liner to free the same for removal from the well or for the better production of the well fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned to be connected with a tubular Well string, conducting water or other fluid under pressure, and that operates to discharge the fluid through perforations in the well lining at a given or selected place in the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned embodying novel and effective valve means for preventing the discharge or loss of the cleaning fluid from the tubular operating string when additional sections or stands of pipe or tubing are added to the said string as the device is being operated in the liner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned that is under the full control of the operator at all times.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned that is such that cleaning fluid under high pressures may be forced out through the perforations of the liner to yclean the same and to clear away accumulations of ma- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tool provided by this invention in position to' be operated in a. well liner showing a portion of the well and its casing and liner in vertical cross section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional View of the tool in operating position in the liner showing a portionof the tailpiece in elevation and illustrating the valve in the open position. Fig. 3

(Cl. 16S-20) of the tailpiece with the parts in the positions Where the valve is closed or is being closed and showing a portion of the liner in longitudinal cross section. Y

'Ihe device provided by the present invention is adapted for employment under numerous' operating conditions. In the drawing I have shown a typicalpreferredform of the inventionintheopcrating position in a tubular liner L in an oil well or gas well. The liner L illustrated is one specific form of lining or casing for a Well. The tool of the invention is not limited for use in this particular type of Well lining or casing but is adapted to be operated in the other well known forms of well linings and casings and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as restricted to the specific form or application of the invention illustrated and about to be described.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing I have illustrated a portion of a typical oil or gas well W having a Water string or casing C set in cement I0 in the usual manner. The well W extends downwardly beyond the set casing C and a liner L is arranged in the open lower portion of the well. The liner L is an elongate tubular structure whose upper end is open to the interior of the casing C. Spaced pcrforations Il are provided in the wall of the liner L to admit the well fluid. The liner L is spaced from the wall ofthe well W to leave an open annular space which surrounds the liner. After extended production the periorations I I of the liner may become clogged with accumulations of sand, wax, etc., and in many instances sand and other solid matter tightly packs in the annular space about the liner L to reduce or stop the production of the well fluid into thc liner. In some instances it is desirable or necessary to remove the liner L from the well W to deepen the well or carry on otheroperations. These and similar circumstances often make it necessary to flush out the perforations I I or to remove the accumulated material from about the liner L.

The tool f the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, a tubular body I2 ,to be connected with the lower end of an operating string S, packing elements or cups I3 carried by the body I2 to slidably seal with the interior of the liner L, means I4 for bypassing fluid past or aroundthe packing cups I3, a valve I5 for sealing with the internal surface of the liner L.

controlling the passage'of iiuid underV pressure from the string S to thespace between the sealing cups I3 and a control I6 'for thevalve I5.

' A 'I'he body I2`is provided to carry the various parts of the tool and to conduct uid as will be presently described. Inpractice the body `I2 is an elongate structu'reor assembly proportioned to be received inthe liner L withA substantial anda lower section clearance. YInftheorxn of the invention illustrated the body I2 includes an upper section I1 I8. The upper section |1has its upper end connected with the operating string S. In the case illustrated the upper end of the body section|1 is connected with'the string S by a joint or coupling having two threadedly connected members I9 and 20. shown threaded in the upper end of the section I1 and the member is threaded on the lower end of the string S. The body section I1 hasa central` through it from one end to the other.

' termediate portion-22 oi The packing elements or sealing cups I3 are carried by the body I2 to seal with the internal surface of the liner L and to'ldeiine a limited` -*chamberor space that is adapted to receive iiuid under pressure to' iiow outwardly through 4the perforations Il and to clear accumulated material from about the liner L. In the4 preferred construction the elements or cups I3 are carried by the body section I1 and are spaced apart vertically-or longitudinally. While the cups I3 may be varied considerably in type and construction without departing from the invention, it is preferred to employ sealing elements or cupsthat are expanded or operated by fluid pressure in the space between them. The cups I3 may be formed of rubber or a suitable resilent elastic composition that is unaiected bythe uid encountered in the well and. employed to clean the liner L. I'he elements or cups I3 are annular and surround the b'ody section I1. The upper cup I3 has a' flat lower surface seated downwardly against the shoulder 23 and thev lower cup I3 has a similar upwardly seated surface engaging, against' the body shoulder 24. 'Ihe opposing ends or sides 21 of the cups I3 are recessed or concaved so that a fluid pressure acting against them expands or actuates the cups outwardly against the internal wall of the liner L. The outer sides or ends of the cups I3, that is, the noni-opposing ends 28 of the cups are preferably tapered or frusto-conical. The cups -I3 are provided with cylindrical peripheral surfaces 29 .for slidably Thimbles 30 surround the body section I1 and engage about or partially confine the frustoconical ends 28 of the cups I3. Nuts 3I` may be threaded on the body section I1 to hold, the thimbles30`in position where they maintain the cups I3 in position and in tight engagement with their respective shoulders 32 surroundfthe intermediate portion 22 of the section I1 with suitable clearance and wires VA33 4jured and broken.

-spaced below the I8- has a central longitudinal vis adapted to Acondinzzt such iiuid 23 and 24. vMetal. rings extend between the rings 32 and theadjacentcups I3. The wires 33 are secured to the rings 32 and have portions' embedded in the peripheral parts of the cups I3 to strengthenthe cups, to

Aeliminate distortionof the cups and vto prevent the peripheral partsof the cups from being in- The means I4 f or by-passing iiuid past or -caround the. spaced cups I3 facilitates the easy movement or passage of the tool up and down in the casing C and the liner L. The means I4 operates to allow i'luid standing in the liner L to passl or iiow aroundor past the spaced cups I3 when the tool is moved longitudinally in the liner. In accordance with the invention the means I4 includes a tube 34 arranged longitudinally in the body passage 2|. The tube 34 has substantial clearance with the wall of the passage 2| so that iiuid may flow downwardly through the passage around the tube. The upper end of the tube 34 is upper end of the body section' I1 and thelower end of the tube 34 is preferably spaced a substantial distance above the lowerend of the section I1. The upper end of the tube 34 is maintained. out of communication with the passage 2| in the manner to be hereinafter described. 'The lower end of the tube 34 is open or in communication with the passage 2|.

A partitionAor ring 35 surrounds the lower-V portion ofthe tube 34 and, closes the lower end of the annular space surrounding the tube 34. In practice the ring 35 may be welded to the tube 34 and the wall of the passage 2l. The upper portion of" the tube 34 is in communication with the. well or the interior o the liner L. Radial tubes or conduits 36 are provided on the body section I1 and extend inwardly to have their openings 31 in Acommunication with the interior of the tube -34. In practice the conduits 36 may be tubular parts formed on the body section I1 and secured to the tube 34. The openings 31 extend outwardly from the interior -of the tube 34 to the exterior of the section I1 to 'communicate with the interior of the liner L. The openings 31 are spaced between the joint member I9 and the upper nut 3|. As described above, the lower end of the tube 34 is open to the portion of the passage 2| below the partition ring 35.. The lower endof the opening 25 in the lower body section I8 is in communication with the interior of the liner L so that the opening 25 and the lower portion of the body passage 2| maintain the lower end of the tube 34 vin communication with the well or the interior of the liner L.

During vdownwardv movement of the tool through `the liner Liiuid is free to flow upwardly through the opening 25, the lower portion of the passage 2| and the tube 34 to discharge from the openings 31 above the upper sealing cup I3. During upward movement of the tool through the liner L fluid'is free to flow down through the opening 31, the tube 34, the lower portion of the passage 2| and the opening 25 to discharge into the liner below the lower cup I3. Thus the means I4 provides for the free passage of fluid around or pas't the pair oi sealing cups I3 when the tool -is moved through the liner.

It will be observed that the upper end of the body passage 2| receive uidfrom; the operating string S and the partition ring `35. Two or more circumferentially spacedv discharge openings 38 are provided in is open to and is adapted to c downwardly to '7 CII tions of material from the liner.

The valve I is provided to control the ow of cleaning fluid through or into the passage 2|. The valve I5 is adapted to close the passage 2| to positively cut oi the :dow of the ushing uid from` the string S to the openings 38. In accordance with the broader principles of the invention any suitable type of valve may be employed as the control valve I5. In the typical construction illustrated, the valve I5 includes an annular valve seat 40 having a flange 4| clamped between faces or shoulders on the coupling members I9 and 28. The seat 40 has the usual central longitudinal opening 42. The valve I5 further includes a ball 43 adapted to seal downwardly against the seat 40. When the valve 43 is raised from its seat 4U fluid is free to flow downwardly from the stringl S through the passagel2| to discharge from theopenings 38. When the valve ball 43 is closed the flow is stopped.

'I'he control I8 forthe valve I5 is operable by manipulation of the operating string S to affect opening and closing of the valve I5 at the will of the operator. The control I8 includes a tailpiece carried by the lowerbody section I8. l. The tailpiece comprises a sleeve 44 shiftable and turnable on the vbody section I8 .and outwardly bowed leaf springs 45 carried bythe sleeve 44` for frictionally cooperating with the interior of the liner L to resist movement of the sleeve. Collars 46 may be provided on the tailpiece sleeve 44 to connect the ends of the springs 45 with the sleeve. A plug 41 is threaded in the lower end of thetailpiece sleeve 44 beyond or below the lower end of the body section I8. The plug 41 has longitudinal openings 48 placing the opening 25 and the interior of the sleeve 44 in communication with the well or the interior of the liner L.

The control I6 further includes a rod or stem 49 connected with the tailpiece sleeve 44 and operatively associated with the ball 43 of the valve I5. The stem. 49 is arranged longitudinally in the body l2 to extend through the opening 25, the lower part of the passage 2| and the tube 34. Thel lower end of the stem 43 is secured to the plug 4l. In practice the lower portion of the stem may be threaded in an'opening 50 in the plug d1. In accordance with the invention the stem 49 is proportioned to extend through the opening 25, the passage 2| and the tube 34 with substantial clearance. The valve stem' 49 extends upwardly through an opening 5I in the upper end of the tube 34 and a packing gland 52 is carriedby the tube to seal about the stem. The valve stem 49 extends into or through the openingz in the valve seat 4|) to cooperate with or to connect with the ball 43. The valve ball 43 may or may not be connected to the upper end of the stem 49. In the present instance it may be assumed that the ball 43 is secured to the stem 49.

The control I5 for governing the valve I5 further includes a releasable latch means for connecting the tailpiece sleeve 44 and the body I2 against relative movement. An L-slot 54 is provided in the tailpiece sleeve 44. A lug or pin i rior of the liner.

55 is provided on the body section I8 to cooperate with the slot 54. 'I'he lateral arm or branch 58 of the slot 54 extends rearwardly from the lower end of the slot relative ,to the right hand direction of rotation. When the pin 55 is'in the slot branch 55 the sleeve 44 and the body I2 are' held against relative longitudinal movement by thecooperation of the pin with said branch. Upon turning of the body I2 to the right by manipulation of the string S the pin 55 is brought into the vertical portion of the slot 54 so that the body may be moved vertically with respect to the sleeve-'44. During such manipulations or operations the springs 45 serve to resist movement of the sleeve 44. 'I'he plug 41 may cooperate with the lower end of the body section I8' to limit relative longitudinal movement between the body I2 and the tailpiece sleeve 44m one direction and the upper end of the valve ball 43 may cooperate with the seat 40 to limit such relative movement in the other direction. While the pin 55 cooperating with the slot4 54 may limit relative longitudinal movement between the body I2 and the sleeve 44 the above described arrangement for performing this function is preferred as it relieves the pin 55 of substantial strains.

In operation the tool is connected with the' string S may be lowered until the tool enters theliner L. During the movement of the tool downwardlyin the liner L iiuid is free to iiow. u'pwardlyv through the openings 48, the opening 25, the lower part of the passage 2| and the tube 34 to discharge from.- the openings 31. When the tool has reached a position in the liner L water, cleaning fluid or other iiuid under pressure may vbe passed' downwardly through the string S.`

This fluid flows past the ball 43, through the opening 42 and the passage 2| to discharge from the opening 38. The water or uid may be pumped downwardly under substantial pressure and this fluid under high pressure admitted to the interior of the liner L between the spaced cups I3 serves to operate or expand the cups so that their peripheries effectively seal with the inte- 'I'he fluid under pressure discharged from the openings 38 passes out through the adjacent perforations to clear the same of accumulated matter and passes upwardly in the well W around the liner L and may return to the interior of the liner through the perforations above the upper cup I3. The tool may be slowly lowered through the liner L as the cleaning uid is pumped downwardly through the string S. Thus the fluid under pressure discharged from the openings 38 cleans the perforations II and clears accumulated sand, etc., fromz about the liner L as the tool moves downwardly through the liner from its upper position. If the liner L is of substantial length it may be necessary to add a stand or stands of pipe or tubing to the upper end of the string S to permit the continued downward movement of the tool through the liner. When an additional section orv stand of pipe or tubing is to be added to the string S the upper end of the string must f pumps. Before breaking this connection at the 75- ingat the tooly and running away in a thief sand.

To close the valve VI5 the-string S is iirst turned to the right to move the pin 55 into the major vertical portionl of the slot 54. During this turning of the string S the springs resist movement ofthe sleeve 44. The string S is then movedupwardly and thepin moves up through the slot 54 during this movement. Upward movement of the string S with respect to the tailpiece sleeve 44 moves theseat 40 up against the valve ball 43, the ball being supported by the sleeve 44 through the medium: of the stem 49 and the plug 41. This closes thev lower end of thestring S and prevents the loss of the iluid in the string through the openings 38. The pump connection at the upper end of the string S may then be broken and the additional section or stand of pipe or. tubing added to the string S. When the connection oiEL the additional stand or section of the string S with the pump hose conduit has been completed the string Sis lowered to open the valve I5. During this downward'movement of the string S the pin 55 moves downwardly through the slot 54 and the body i2 moves downwardly with respect to "plug 41 and the springs 45 resist the downward movement of the sleev-,e 44 so that the ball may re-v main stationary or substantially stationary during the downward movement of the seat 40 as just the entire liner L has been cleaned. It is believed that it will be understood how the tool may be operated to thoroughly clean all the perforations IIl of the liner and clear all accumulations of sand, etc., from about the liner L. When the liner L has been cleaned and cleared of accumulated material the tool may be withdrawn from the well W by the string S. The cleaning of the perforations Il and the cleaning of accumulated sand, etc., from about the liner may materially increase the production of the 'well, that is, it may allow the well uids from the earth formation to more readily en'ter the liner. Further, the cleaning of accumulated sand, etc., from about the liner may free or assist in freeing the liner so that it may be easily pulled or removed fromV the well. 'I'his is of great importance when it becomes necessary to pull a liner from a well that has re- -mained in the Well for a substantial period. Sand,

etc., accumulating about a liner often makes the removal of the liner diiiicult, if not impossible, and in some .instances prevents deepening of the well and similar operations. The iluid under high pressure discharged from the openings 38 at a point between the spaced cups I3 discharges from the periorations I I and flows upwardly about the liner to eiectively loosen and remove accumulated sand` from about the liner. This, of course, frees the liner so that it may be readily pulled or withdrawn fromthe well.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my'invention Ido not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myselfl any variations or modiilcations that may appeal' to,

those skilled in the art or fall within the scope oir the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim: l 1. A tool adapted .to be operated on a tubular well string and adapted to operate in a well lining lor casilla'. the tool comprising, a body to be secured to said string, spaced packing elements .carried by the body to seal with the interior oil'V the casing, the body having a passage to conduct iluid from the string to the interior of the casing between said elements, valve'means for controlling said passage opened and closed by longitudinal movement of the string, and means forlocking the valve means open releasable by turning of the string. Y Y

2. A tool adapted to be operated on a tubular well string and adapted to enter a well liner, the

l tool comprising, a body to be rigidly secured to said string, spaced packing elements carried by the body to seal with the interior of the liner, the

body having a passage to conduct :duid from the string to the interior of the liner betweensaid elements, friction means engageable with the liner to have its movement resisted bythe liner. the body andfriction means being related for relative movement, and a valve for controlling said passage comprising two parts, one a seat, the other a closure for engaging the seat, one valve part being secured tothe body, the other valve partl being secured to the friction means whereby the valve is controllable by manipulation of the string. o A

3. A tool adapted' to be operated on a tubular well string and adapted to' enter a well casing, the tool comprising, a body to be secured to said string to move therewith and having a passage to receive iiuid from `the string and adapted to. discharge into the casing, sealing means on the body located at opposite sides of the point of discharge of the `said passage to slidably'seal with! the interior of the casing. a valve for controlling iluid ilow through the passage, and a control oplerable by manipulation of the string -to open and close the valve.

4. A tool adapted tobe operated on a well string and adapted to enter a well lining, the tool comprising, a-body to be secured to said string to be rigid therewith and having a passage to receive iluid from the string and discharging' the body and engageable with the lining to have its movement resisted by the lining, a valve to control the passage, means operable bymanipulationof the string to effect opening and 'closing of the valve including a stem carried by the friction means and extending through the passage to operatively connect with the valve, and means for by-passing iluid past the sealing elements when the tool is moved longitudinally in the lining.

5. A tool adapted to be operated on a tubular well string and adapted to enter a perforated liner in a well, the tool comprising, a body to be securedto said string and having a passage toreceive iluid from the string and discharging 4into the liner, sealing elements carried by the body I -toslidablysealwiththeinterioroitheliner above and below the point of discharge of the passage, a valve to control the passage, meansl operable by manipulation of the string to effect opening and closing of the valve, and means for by-passing fluid past the sealing elements when the tool is moved longitudinally in the liner, the

last mentioned means including a tube in. said passage, and means placing the tube in communication with the interior of the liner above and below the said sealing elements.

6. A tool adapted to be operated on a tubular well string and adapted to enter a perforated liner in a well, the tool comprising, a body to be secured to said string, spaced packing elements carried by the body to seal with the interior of the liner, the body having a passage to conduct uid from the string to the interior of 'the liner between said elements, a valve for controlling said passage, and a control for the valve operable by manipulation of the string, said control comprising a'tailpiece shiftable carried by the body'and yieldingly frictionally engaging the interior of the liner, and a connection between the tailpiece and the valve.

7. A tool adapted to be operated on a tubular Well string and adapted to enter a perforated liner in a well, the tool comprising, a body to be secured to said string, spaced packing elements carried by the body to seal with the interior of the liner, the body-having a passage to conduct fluid from the string to the interior of the liner between said elements, a valve for controlling said passage, and a control for the valve operable by manipulation of the string, said control Icomprising a sleeve shiftable on the body, springs on the sleeve adapted to frictionally engage the interior of the liner to resist movement of the sleeve, and a member carried by the sleeveand associated with the valve to open and close the same upon longitudinal movement of the body with respect to the sleeve. n v

8. A tool adapted to be operated on a tubular well string and adapted to enter a perforated liner in a well, the tool comprising, a body to be secured to said string, spaced packing elements carried by the bodyto seal with the" interior of the liner, the body having a passage to conduct fluid from the string to the interior of the liner between said elements, a valve for controlling said passage, and a control for ythe valve operable by manipulation of the string, said control comprising a sleeve shiftable on the body, springs on the sleeve adapted to frictionally engage the interior of the linerto resist movement of the sleeve, a member carried by the sleeve andy lassociated with the valve to open and close thesame upon longitudinal movement of the body with respect to the sleeve, and releasable means for latching the body and sleeve together against relative longitudinal movement. l

'9. A device for use on a tubular well string and adapted to clean accumulated material from aperforated liner in a well, the device .including an elongate body to'be secured to the string and adapted to enter the liner in the well, the body having a longitudinal opening to receive fluid under pressure from the string and having lateral outlets to discharge said fluid into the liner, opposed sealing cups carried by the body to seal with the liner above and below the outlets, a valve in the body controlling the opening, a sleeve shiftable on the body, spring means on the sleeve frictionally cooperating with the interior of`the liner to resist movement ofthe sleeve, a stem carried by the sleeve and extending through the opening to open and close the valve upon movement of the body relative to the sleeve, and means carried by the body for by-passing fiuidto and from the interior of the liner past the sealing elements. y

10. A tool for use on a tubular well string and adapted to operate in a well casing or lining comprising a body to be secured lto the lower end of the string and having a passage to receive ui under lpressure from the string and to discharge into the lining, packing'means on the body to seal with the interior of the lining above and below the point of discharge of the passage, means for by-passing fluid around the packing meansv when the tool is moved through the lining ini cluding a tube extending through the passage and communicating with the lining, a valve element adapted to close the passage against the down ilow of fluid, friction means shiftably carried by the body and engageable with the lining to have its movement. resisted thereby, a stem carried by the `friction means and extending through the passage and tube to connect with the valve element whereby the valve element is controllable by movement of the body relative to the friction means, and packing means sealing about the stem to prevent the leakage of fluid between the passage and tube.

11. A tool for use on a tubular well string and adapted to operate in a wellcasing'or lining comprising a body to be secured to the lower end of the string and having a passage to receive uid under pressure from the string and to discharge into the lining, packing means on the body to seal with the interior of the lining above and below the point of discharge ofthe passage, friction means shiftably carried by the body and adapted to engage the lining to have its movement resisted thereby, a stem carried by the friction means and extending through the passage, a valve part on the stem operable to prevent a down flow through the passage,`and a control means for holding the friction means and the body in a given relation where the valve part is open and rev seal with the interior of the lining above and below the point of discharge oi' the passage, friction means shiftably carried by the body below the packing means engageable with the lining to ,have its movement resisted thereby, valve means above the packing means operable to control the passage and comprising two parts, one a seat, the other a closure engageable with the seat, one valve part being carried by the body, and a stem on the friction means extending upwardly whereby relative movement between the body and friction means controls the valve means.

cuantas through the passage to carry the other valve part 

